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With more than 137,000 scheduled business appointments happening throughout the week, tens of millions of dollars of business was generated to kick off ABA members’ 2019. But not all the business building was happening through appointments. During Marketplace, attendees had endless opportunities to network with established partners and meet new ones whether in the exhibit hall, during morning, and lunch events and evening dine arounds and events.
Attendees also participated in more than 50 seminars and education bites with top-rated national speakers and industry experts to help hone their professional development, technology and sales and marketing skills, as well learn about and discuss issues affecting the industry through motorcoach safety, motorcoach maintenance and repair, motorcoach innovations, and motorcoach regulatory and compliance sessions.
Numerous ABA Council meetings offered a different kind of education during the week, as the Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC), Bus Maintenance & Repair Council, Hispanic Motorcoach Council, School Bus Council, and the Women in Buses Council all held meetings during the event.
ABA members also took care of association business by electing five new members to the Board of Directors: Jonathan Berzas of Fullington Trailways; Cindy Brown of Boston Duck Tours; Roman Cornell of ABC Companies; Kim Grzywacz of CIT Signature Transportation; and Luke Busskohl of Arrow Stage Lines as the 2020 Marketplace chairman.
But it is not all hard work and no play at ABA! Attendees had were treated to more than a 100 exhibitors, including 22 motorcoaches, on the networking floor—many of whom were giving out treats to Marketplace-goers.
Attendees were also treated to a night at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs for a night of Juleps, Jockeys and Generosity as they raised money for the ABA Gives Back local charity, Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs. The Backside Learning Center is an independent, non-profit organization serving the equine workers and families at Churchill Downs. They provide adult education programs, after-school and summer youth programs, and social services. Because ABA members' generosity, the ABA Gives Back program donated $22,000 to the Center.
ABA members also were very generous when it came to raising funds for the ABA Foundation's Fund a Future program. Each year at Marketplace, the ABA Foundation holds a live and silent auction, as well as in partnership with the Hard Rock Cafe International and Prevost, hosts the popular Afterglow party. All monies raised during the week of Marketplace through these events go toward the ABA Foundation scholarship program and helps the ABA Foundation fund $100,000 in scholarships each year. This year through the events, the ABA Foundation was able to raise approximately $140,000 for scholarships. Since its inception, the ABA Foundation Scholarship program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to hundreds of ABA member families.
While it was a week of hard work, everyone also took the time to recognize achievements of ABA members that were made throughout the year. The annual ABA Certified Travel Industry Specialist program not only saw 22 members graduate from the program during Marketplace, but also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the program. And ABA partners also presented awards throughout the week to members in recognition of their individual accomplishments.
ABA’s Marketplace 2020 will take place in Omaha, Neb., from Jan. 10-14.
Visit buses.org for more information.
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Kilduff has more than 30 years of service in the corporate travel industry, as well as a background in sales, marketing, and ground transportation consulting.
In addition to his previous role as senior vice president of global development with Addison Lee, he was CEO of DK Consulting Group, a consultant film that worked with corporate clients in sourcing suppliers. The firm also consult on business development with ground transportation suppliers. Kilduff also developed, launched, and managed the global ground transportation consulting practice for the CWT Solutions Group, and also launched eCLIPSE advisors/American Express Advisory Services, the first transportation consulting practice for a TMC.
Before venturing into consulting, Dave had a successful 21-year career with The Hertz Corporation, including 15 years as a Divisional Vice President of Sales.
“Dave has more contacts than anyone I know in the industry,” said Windy City CEO George Jacobs. “We are so excited to see him work for Windy City. Big thanks to Tim Rose for the recommendation.”
Visit windycitylimos.com for more information.
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The association invited some of its most seasoned and successful members to lead roundtable conversations on core topics such as affiliate relations, customer service, dispatch practices, fleet and maintenance, human resource policies (especially hiring and retention), and marketing.
Tailored to industry newcomers, experienced operators, and companies with fleets of all sizes, the business-building event encouraged attendees to participate in three of the focused sessions, each one drawing on the opportunity to get peers’ advice through tried-and-true answers to common challenges while gaining some critical industry intelligence. As a bonus, the roundtable format facilitated comfortable introductions among participants.
As long-serving First Vice President Jon Epstein recently sold his two-generation company Royal Coachman Worldwide to New York’s Leros Point to Point, his last official meeting honored him with a standing ovation. Michael Renehan of Concorde Worldwide, who devoted many years lobbying on behalf of the chauffeured transportation industry, and Bob Schiavo of Albert's Transportation, who took an active role on the LANJ Membership Committee, were similarly recognized and thanked for their dedicated contributions to the association.
The 2019 board of directors was ratified and presented during the meeting:
President: Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide
First Vice President: Tim Rose of Addison Lee
Second Vice President: Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments
Secretary: Karen Gajda of Country Club Transportation
Treasurer: Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales
Directors: Anthony Azara of Avalon Chauffeured Services, Shady Azer of Concorde Worldwide, Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments, Pete Corelli of Lakeview Custom Coach, Johnny Donohue of the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (honorary), Sam Emam of BBZ Limousine & Livery Service, Karen Gajda of Country Club Transportation, Howard Gogel of My Limousine Service, Scott Greenwald of AAA Worldwide Transportation, Joe Gulino of Gem Limousine Worldwide, John Maziarz of Arrive in Style Transportation, Brian O’Neill of Grech Motors, Tim Rose of Addison Lee, David Seelinger of Empire CLS, Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, Christian Stochholm of New Jersey Limo Finder, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales, Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, and Jonathan Wilner of A. Harrington Limousine Service
Azer and Wilner are new to the LANJ board. All others are incumbents.
Check out the March issue of Chauffeur Driven magazine for expanded coverage.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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